Be
Whimsical
“You
must not ever stop being whimsical. And you must not, ever, give someone else
responsibility for your life.”
Mary
Oliver
Most of the art that I do has a whimsical component. I’ve noticed that the same is true with other artists of my generation. Dale Lewis, for instance, makes beautifully turned wood sculptures that are the definition of silly. He makes tables with ballerina legs, this crab with googly eyes, and grandfather clocks with human faces. In Jim Scott’s private garden at Lake Martin, whole areas were given over to playfulness ostensibly for his grandkids, but one must have a playful mind to conceive of such silliness, right? Having a good sense of humor in today’s world, is and perhaps always has been, a survival mechanism. I think aging well teaches us that we’d better be able to laugh at ourselves, or all we will do is cry bitter tears.
This
piece, called “Highfalutin Hippy Chicks,” was inspired by a bar of soap—really!
The soap was made by the children of my friend Garvice, who live on a farm
called “South of Sanity,” raise a herd of goats and a pack of children and make
products from goat’s milk. One soap that they make has lots of Patchouli oil in
it, which people of a certain age will recognize from their misspent youth as
the pervasive scent of hippies. The soap is called “Highfalutin Hippy,” which I
assume these young goat-farming folks are. I applaud their creativity and spirited
whimsy, and I didn’t hesitate to steal the name.
Mary
Oliver said, “I believe in kindness. Also, in mischief. Also, in singing especially
when singing is not necessarily prescribed.” Like humming to yourself, or whistling,
or singing silly songs out of tune. Cultivate the ability to laugh at yourself
and all your days will be happier. I promise!
In
the Spirit,
Jane
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